New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment on Sunday notified an amendment in the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) scheme, allowing withdrawl of non-refundable advance, in the wake of Novel Coronavirus.
The notification permits withdrawal of up to the amount of basic wages and dearness allowance for three months or up to 75 per cent of the amount standing to member’s credit in the EPF account, whichever is less, in the event of outbreak of the pandemic.
‘COVID-19 has been declared pandemic by appropriate authorities for the entire country and therefore, employees working in establishments and factories across entire India, who are members of the EPF Scheme, 1952, are eligible for the benefits of non-refundable advance.
‘A sub-para (3) under para 68L has been inserted in the EPF scheme,1952.The amended scheme Employees Provident Fund (Amendment) scheme,2020 has come into force from 28 March,2020’, the labour Ministry notification said.
The EPF Office has issued directions to its field offices for promptly processing any applications received from EPF members to help them fight the situation.
In it’s statement, the EPFO said that officers and staff must process claims of EPF subscribers promptly, so that relief reaches the worker and his family in time, so as to help them fight with COVID-19.
